Which hospital?

With Jack's due date approaching, I am getting more and more the question of "Which hospital?". And I am used to the shocked looks as I say, "We are actually using midwives and delivering at a birthing center." Then I wait a few minutes as that sinks in, and the questions begin. So for anyone who has wanted to ask, and hasn't yet, I'll give you the run down.

As we were trying to get pregnant, a good friend of mine brought to my attention the topic of midwifery. I had heard of it before, but quite frankly thought it was barbaric. Wikipedia offers a great definition of it here. Since it was God's will that it take a year and a half for us to get pregnant, I had a lot of time to read, read, read up on the subject. And, what I have learned not only showed me that it is a viable option, but also made me feel empowered about my birthing experience.

I was surprised to learn that midwives are the lead health care professional attending the majority of births in the United Kingdom, with Obstetricians only being used for high risk cases. I recently finished reading Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way and am actually excited about birth and no longer fearful of it. Knowledge is power!

This is a total retreat from who I used to be. Let me explain. Before Phil, I was content to never have children. I viewed them as a burden and an interruption to my life. Then I fell in love and got married, and then attempted to break it to Phil that I was not interested in having children, to which he so sweetly replied, "Cynthia, you're having my baby, so deal with it." Of course God changed my heart to be like His, and a few short months after that conversation we were trying to have a baby. Now that I am pregnant I don't know what I was thinking before!

So, for all of you friends out there who are trying to get pregnant, I encourage you to educate yourself about midwifery or at the very least the Bradley Method - which is the birthing method used by midwifes, commonly called "Husband Coached Birth". Phil at times is more calm than me about the birth, and he is even more astounded by how God created my body to handle birth and his role in supporting me in it.

Now I am birthing at a free standing birthing center, not associated with a hospital. In Houston there is not only the center at St. Luke's, but also a phenomenal one in the Woodlands.

The flip side is, birthing is so incredibly personal. I firmly believe, do whatever makes you feel comfortable, safe, and secure and allows you to have the most joyous birthing experience you can.
And, if your interested, this is just one of the birthing rooms I may deliver in. It is my top choice - so I hope no other mommy goes into labor when I do!! And, you'll notice the little bassinet in the photo. One of the many things that drew me into midwifery is sweet Jack will never leave my side!